Land deal highlights water meeting

SOUTH DENNIS — The annual meeting of the Dennis Water District is set to open at 7 tonight at the Nathaniel H. Wixon Innovation School, and if the past two years are any indication, it could draw a crowd.

By CHRISTINE LEGERE

capecodtimes.com

By CHRISTINE LEGERE

Posted Apr. 23, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By CHRISTINE LEGERE
Posted Apr. 23, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

SOUTH DENNIS — The annual meeting of the Dennis Water District is set to open at 7 tonight at the Nathaniel H. Wixon Innovation School, and if the past two years are any indication, it could draw a crowd.

Tonight's big issue is a request for $142,500 to go toward the purchase of Grassy Pond Woodlands off Old Setucket Road.

The finance committee is evenly split on the spending request. And while a majority of the water commission will recommend approval, dissenting member Peter McDowell plans to lay out his reasons for opposition.

McDowell said he has not been rallying the opposition in anticipation of tonight's meeting.

"If the 'no' votes turn out, it will be because they came on their own," he said.

James McCarthy, administrator of the Dennis Conservation Trust, said his organization, which spearheaded the land purchase, has been working hard to get supporters out tonight.

"We've been passing out fliers and talking to people," McCarthy said. "Our job is harder because we have to get a two-thirds majority for it to pass."

The water district's annual meetings in 2011 and 2012 drew more than 200 voters each — far more then the 25-voter quorum needed to take care of business. In 2011, voters shot down two proposed wind turbines and nixed a town request for an acre of land the district owns at Airline Road and Route 134 for a rotary.

In 2012, 200 voters came out to trounce a repeat request for the land for the rotary,

The proposal is not on this year's warrant.

"It was clear the majority just doesn't like rotaries," Dennis Town Administrator Richard White said.

Other business tonight includes consideration of the district's $3 million operating budget, $1 million for general expenses, just under $1 million in capital spending and acceptance of the district's yearly reports,